We are through the August long weekend, which means that starting this Friday it is the Bowen Island Fastpitch League Tournament to crown our 2024 champion!
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Last year it was the Firemen who lifted the trophy when all was said and done on Sunday, and they’ve let everyone know they mean business for their title defense by finishing 1st Place during the regular season. The only team in the league to hit 14 wins, there is little to find at fault with this squad. They racked up the second most runs overall, and an incredibly stingy pitching staff - along with Gold Glove level fielding - ensured nobody came close to their runs against total, which at 122 is 36 less than the next best mark.
There’s many players to watch on this team, including the Franklin trio of Sam, Johnny and Adam, Jennings brothers Burns & Dallen, Corby Bernard, and Liam Zahara.
While the Firemen are a good bet to repeat, there won’t be any easy path to victory. The Cruisers were hot on their tail in the standings, finishing just 1.5 games back. In fact the squad bearing Eddie Weismiller’s caricature even plated 10 more runs than the Firemen, as their bats have the potential to get very hot. Watch for home runs threats in Erik Hunter-James and Robbie Watson, a solid pitching duo of Grady Huskisson and Jamie Weismiller, and some very speedy baserunners in Keelan Hondro and Peter Blomberg.
Sitting in 3rd at the end of the year are the Shakers, who had the league’s second tightest run differential and are always sure to deliver a close game. Doug and Jesse Durrant are ones to keep an eye on, along with Charlie Welsh, Alex Lipsey-Ouimet, Ayden Radley, and Riley Culver. Noah PryceJones will likely make some highly anticipated and entertaining trips to the mound throughout the tournament.
And of course the Diggers can never be ruled out of contention either. Despite finishing just a game over .500, this team is just two years removed from hoisting the trophy themselves as 2022 champions, and much of that experienced group remains on the squad today. This includes Adam and Tom Woodward, Daniel Cowper, and Paul Whitecotton, while last season’s Rookie of the Year Erik Miller came over this year to bolster the Diggers ranks. Be sure to pay close attention to Dan Guillon on the pitcher’s mound too, scouts are saying he’s got his knuckleball pitch locked and loaded.
The format of the tournament means that anybody has a chance, so while the Brewers and Twins may not look like favourites on paper, one upset win in the group stage can send ripples throughout the competition. The Twins have the opportunity to cause a stir in the opening game on Friday night when they take on the Diggers, a win which would instantly turn them into contenders on Saturday. The Twins pitching and defense has actually been quite good this year, as they’re in the top half of the league in runs against. But their bats desperately need to wake up as they’re averaging just over 5 runs per game. They’ll look to Tyler and Jason Jacquet, Dan Moats, Sean Davies, Brent Molinski, and Erik Helssen, among others, to get things going.
And finally the Brewers always have the chance to make things interesting with a group of bats that could go off. Iishan Cruz, James Strang, and Randy Poulin have all shown themselves to be big hitters this year, along with Pete Scott who is also never to be underestimated on the mound. The team has also recruited pitcher Milt Michael for this season, who has shown an ability to escape many jams during the year. Under the watchful eye of league veteran Brad Rypien, this team will look to pull off some upsets this weekend.
Look forward to seeing everyone at Snug Cove Field for all the action over the next 3 days and nights!
Tournament Schedule
Friday, August 9
Diggers vs. Twins - 6:30 pm
Saturday, August 10
Cruisers vs. Shakers - 9 am
Firemen vs. Brewers - 10:45 am
Cruisers vs. Twins - 12:30 pm
Firemen vs. Shakers - 2:15 pm
Diggers vs. Brewers - 4 pm
Shakers vs. Twins - 5:45 pm
Sunday, August 11
Firemen vs. Diggers - 9 am
Cruisers vs. Brewers - 10:45 am
Semifinal 1 (#1 vs. #4) - 12:30 pm
Semifinal 2 (#2 vs. #3) - 2:30 pm
Championship Game - 5 pm
